New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-02-21
THE PRESIDENT ANNOYED.
REFORM" IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
COMPLAINTS AGAINST OFrICIALs-soME INTER-
EsTING INCIDENTS.
IRY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIpuNE.l

COMPLAINTS AGAINST OFFICIALs-soME INTER-
KsTING INCIDENTS.
rsY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.l
WAsnINGToy Feb. 2O.-It is understood that Pres
,dent Cleveland is considerably worried account of
the general dissatisfaction with the District officials OF
his appointment Within the last week he has
ceived two formal communications One letter
from Brooke Muckal calling attention to an assault on
the writer by Register of Wills Clagett, who
arrested. fined and placed under bonds to keep the
peace In his letter Mr.. Mackall includes the state
mens of several persons who reflect severel, on Reg
lister Cagott not only in respect of the assault and
battery, but also in regard to certain transactions OF
dscreditable nature in which 1t s alleged that he was
concerned several years ago.
The other communication was from the Women's
Christian TEN, ,,erance Union, bringing charges
against the District Commissioners The specifications
upon which the charges are based dsclose startling
condition OF affairs In the National Capital The opera
tions OF the ring engaged In promoting real estate
speculaons have been pretty fully ventilated in THE
TRIBUNr aud other newspape4s, and they have given
coming to light which indicate a disposition the
part OF some of the oceholders to do things which
may embarraes the President seriously. For example.
as soon he had become the owner OF Red Top last
summer, mounted police officer was detailed to guard
the property. As it consisted solely OF land and a
stone house, there imminent danger that any
body would steal and carry il away. The police force
of the District is uoorously INADEQUATE and to take
even OF it's members rou bis legitimate duties is
an act open to criticism. For months before
Red Top was occupied by any member of Mr. Ceve-
lands family, we'll az since Mrs Folsom took up her
residence there, the officer remained guard to the
neglect of his legitimate duties Ii Is unders, ood that
no was kept there by the District Commissioners. II
the force had been large enough to provide gnard
for every Iiece of suburban property there probably
would have been complaint
One Of the chief causes of dissatisfaction among
District Democrats is tho power Patronage which
United States Marshal Wilson appears to possess IL
is alleged be fact susceptible OF proof that this
lower il almost absolute, For exampie, Recorder
Matthews informed persons who applied to him in pe-
half oT ID hT Sa ho
his approval would be necessary As to the secret OF
Wilson's power curious story is told by prominent
resident Of the District who claims to have received
his information from trustworthy source. He says
that during the Presidential canvass OF 1881, at time
when the Democratic National Committee was pressed
for funds Senator German and Wilson visited Albany,
and at conference with Governor Clevelands private
secretary and other Democrats assurances given
that n OF Democratic victory the OF cial patron
age Of the District hould be placed absolutely IN the
control of German and Wilson, provided the latter
would raise $4,000 in the Distrt OF Columbia for
the Democratic campaign fund. lie fastened back 10
Washington and did his best TO fulfil his part OF the
bargain. 1t is alleged that he received credit on
his contract for all the money collected in the District
and that the somewhat in excess Ut the
amount before mentioned. Tho fact thnt Wilson
monopo7ed all the credit for the generous con,rhIi-
tons of the District Democrats is additional canse
oil the dissatisfaction among them. 1t may be rcmem-
bered that they used strong language in protest
tho President against the reappontmsnt OF Matthews
after he had been rejected by the Senate, and that
Marshal Wilson and Register Clagetu Immediately
withdrew from the Democratic club OF which they
were prominent cmbers.
Basking in the sunshine OF Executive favor Mr..
Wilson probably feels that he afford TO disregard
the complaints and criticisms o. the party friends
who's. contributions said have lifted him to hs
present official station. Register Cagett too feels so
hrmy ntrenched In Office that he can afford either To
ignore criticism resent IL In sullivan style II is true
that ork has for time been suspended the bridge
and road which the commissioners building solely
enhance the value of property owned by the Clage
syndicate. and for time the frugal register feared
that Congress would refuse TO appropriate mcnev 10
complete all improvement which he expects will
raise him from comparative indigcnce to aiiiuence
hut the Senate Committee Appropriations has re-
Tented and the pecunary horizon OF Register Clage
and his associates in the real pool again appears
TO be unclouded Despite the denials that an, other
Official except Clagett is member OF the pool II Ia
asserted that Marshal Wilson has been heard virtually
TO admit the contrary. To one man he said
4" I would be glad TO know WHY THE TnIBrNr is
attacking me- II saws that i am a member OF the
Clagett syndicate and that Colonel LAMONT also
member OF it, Well, what il are ID is nOhodys
business We nave right TO buy property where VIC
please" ,
II IL understood that the members OF the Clagctt
pool confident that their venture will prove
a success that they have advanced the property to
still higher figure